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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 18, 2004, at 9:24:30
Would you go on National TV (like, a main station likely to attract millions of viewers) and talk about your mental health problems.
Not a chat show (Oprah, Ricki and the like).. but to present a proper documentary that could go along way to helping others and removing the stigma of your illness?
Would you do it?? Even if half your family had no idea of your problems and it would cause major family hassle??
Ta!
Nikki x
Posted by Penny on May 18, 2004, at 9:35:09
In reply to Interesting dilemma.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 18, 2004, at 9:24:30
Posted by justyourlaugh on May 18, 2004, at 9:38:34
In reply to Interesting dilemma.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 18, 2004, at 9:24:30
nikk,
i think there is a point in time where some of us are unable to even help ourselves..
but if the illness was under control, it would not cause a set back and you thought you could help...i would say go go go...
jyl
Posted by Dinah on May 18, 2004, at 9:46:39
In reply to Interesting dilemma.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 18, 2004, at 9:24:30
I'm going to show my hypocrisy here. I watch shows like that and find them very interesting (unless they are too intrusive) and informative.
But I don't think I'd be on one. It's not that my problems are a secret to anyone. It's just that I like to be able to control how much information each person has.
But that's just me.
Posted by partlycloudy on May 18, 2004, at 9:49:33
In reply to Interesting dilemma.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 18, 2004, at 9:24:30
I would definitely do it. I'm more of a hari-kari person when it comes to telling my story. Just spill my guts.
Yuck! That was a really bad visual. Sorry!!!
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 18, 2004, at 9:59:52
In reply to Interesting dilemma.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 18, 2004, at 9:24:30
Well, it appears that I wouldn;t be talking directly about *MY* experiences, but the problems facing people with personality disorders. It would be a documentary style, so good quality, and with the BBC so well respected people.
BUT.. my inlaws know NOTHING about my problems and doing this would cause major hassle. My husband will be totally against it I know.
Hmmm.. I need to continue pondering!!
Oh,a nd expect apost later asking about good / bad experiences again as I am doing one of my training sessions on FRiday and have lost all my previous notes!!! *laughing*
Nikki x
Posted by spoc on May 18, 2004, at 12:18:20
In reply to Re: Interesting dilemma.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 18, 2004, at 9:59:52
Wow, I have too many opinions on this! I totally agre with what jyl said. But for myself, I am like Dinah in needing to have control over who knows what. As a matter of fact, that is a pretty major current theme in my life -- who knows what and with how much accuracy, since I started disappearing. Then again, I would almost rather have everyone know things with accuracy, than have them guessing amongst themselves...which I guess they have to, since I tell few people anything about this IRL. But that doesn't seem to be a theme you have going, that could be addressed through this.
I don't know, hate to advocate taking the path of least resistance too often (I do it, mind you, just don't want to be seen advocating it)... But unless your sense of wanting to help anyone you can through this is way stronger than the importance of smooth sailing with the inlaws and whoever else... I probably couldn't do it myself...
If you do, I hope you decide to post about when it will be on (and any details, like how you were selected)!
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 18, 2004, at 12:26:52
In reply to Re: Interesting dilemma.., posted by spoc on May 18, 2004, at 12:18:20
Well, speaking with my husband and he's being suprisingly supportive!!
Spoc - I wouldn't be talking about ME which is why its more OK with me.. more about general experiences which is something I do alot of already.. and how I came to be asked. I do training for health professionals (from psychiatrists to GP receptionists, nurses, ER staff.. anyone that comes into contact with people with Personality Disorders really) (oh, and there will be apost about that later!!), and give presentations at conferences about the "service user" (ie patient) view, and also do consultancy work for the government - mainly on committees as a service user consultant (I was on one that was dishing out money for setting up new Personality Disorder Services around the country as an example).. I'm starting to get my name known in the right circles and be respected (indeed, if you google my full name you can see some of the policies I have been involved in.. but I'm not giving out my full name!!). I love doing this work, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to be turning into paid work for me which is very annoying.. I want them to hire me full time and pay me a decent wage!! *laughing*
So thats the story behind it.. Will ofcourse give details if I go ahead and its shown!!
Nikki x
Posted by spoc on May 18, 2004, at 13:07:37
In reply to Re: Interesting dilemma.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 18, 2004, at 12:26:52
Aaaahhh, ok, I didn't know the background! You do make a very valuable contribution, and would bring a lot to this documentary. That does put it in a different light. You've put so much blood, sweat and tears into these issues already, and it is of such importance, that it would likely be very fulfilling to you and worth it.
Glad your husband is surprising you by handling it better than you thought. And yes, it's really too bad when you find something you are that passionate about and the financial compensation isn't translating. I'm sure you are very much appreciated for sticking with it anyway! I wish you the best in making your decision. Does seem like something that high profile really could help on the career front too. :- )
Posted by Ilene on May 18, 2004, at 16:02:21
In reply to Interesting dilemma.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 18, 2004, at 9:24:30
For a long time I kept my problems under wraps because it was important to me to be seen as a competent adult. For a long time I was hassled because I didn't have a career. Having kids took that pressure off, but I didn't want to be seen as someone to be pitied or (fill in the blank).
When my father was dying I really wanted to talk to him about my difficulties, which I felt had created a rift between us, but it was too late.
So I don't know. I'm all for removing stigma and moving toward health care parity, but not at the cost of being in deep weeds w/ the family.
Posted by Angela2 on May 19, 2004, at 9:56:57
In reply to Re: Interesting dilemma.., posted by Ilene on May 18, 2004, at 16:02:21
Since you said you'd be doing it for your career it sounds safer and less intrusive for you.
Thats great that your husband is supportive about it, especially after you didn't think he would be!
If you're doing it for your career can you use that as a reason to give your inlaws for doing it? They won't have to know anything about you, right? You were just chosen to do it because of your knowledge.
Angela
Posted by DaisyM on May 19, 2004, at 19:59:26
In reply to Re: Interesting dilemma.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 18, 2004, at 12:26:52
Establish yourself as a nonprofit, write a grant for advocacy work and pay yourself! It's really not that hard.
This is the end of the thread.
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